If picturesque views, fantastic recreational activities, diverse wildlife and great camping facilities are what you are looking for then you will be impressed with Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park. First established in 1963 to provide travelers between Whistler and Lillooet with lakeside camping and recreation experiences, Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park is a gorgeous piece of the world within the Lillooet Country region.
Since the opening of the park it has been expanded a few times and now encompasses over 1000 acres. Due to the large size of the park it is a significant conservation zone and the park's wildlife includes mountain goats, black bears and grizzly bears. The beautiful Birkenhead Lake is another source of wildlife and is home to Rainbow Trout, Kokanee and a protected species of Bull Trout.
The lake is the main focal point of recreational activities within the park and there are several family friendly options for you to make the most of your stay. Swimming, fishing and boating are always popular and the park also has some great hiking trails, cycling paths and cross-country skiing during the winter months.
Looking to stay the night? Birkenhead Campground is the lone campground at the park and contains 90 campsites that are RV-friendly. All of the sites are large, offer privacy and have no water or electrical connections. Peak season at Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park runs from May until September.
Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park is located in south-western British Columbia in the Lillooet Country region. The park has one entry and exit road that is very easy to find off Pemberton Portage Road
Since the park is up in the mountains there are limited services and amenities located close to the park. You will have no phone reception once you are on the road that takes you to the park entrance and there are limited towns around that you will be able to buy supplies at. Out of the small towns near the park those that have some amenities are Pemberton (around 35 miles or 57kms), Whistler (54 miles or 88km) and Lillooet (87 miles or 140km). The closest major city to the park is Vancouver, which is located 129 miles (208km) to the south.
Getting to the park should be very simple and straightforward until you turn off and start your journey on the access road. The road is very bumpy, narrow, and there may be overhanging branches that could damage your RV. Take your time on this road as it not suitable for fast speeds. During the winter the parks facilities mostly close down so if you choose to go to the park during winter make sure you call ahead to confirm the road will be open.
There is plenty of parking available at Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park.
Birkenhead Campground is the only campground at the park and is a fantastic place to stay the night. All sites at Birkenhead Campground are primitive and have no electrical, water or sewer hookups. There are 90 sites in total that are RV friendly and out of those 90 there are also seven double sites for those with larger rigs. The sites are large, offer privacy and it is known to be a very quiet campground.
The park is very well maintained by the staff and feature some great amenities, including toilets, showers and a dump station. Please note that there will be no phone reception on any network but you will be able to use a payphone near the park office.
Reservations for the park are available online or by calling the park. The campground closes during the offseason for RV lovers and the gate will be locked. For those without an RV you can hike in and use the campground but there are no facilities or services available.
The Birkenhead Lake Trail also doubles as a great cycling path due to the compacted gravel that the trail is made of. The trail will take you to Birkenhead Lake Estates at the south end of the lake and then it joins up with Birkenhead Road and Tenas Valley logging road. Don't ride too fast on this bile path as there may also be horseback riding on the west half of the Birkenhead Lake trail up to Sockeye Creek. Bike rentals will not be available so if you want to ride make sure you bring your own bike and helmet.
Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park has some really challenging hiking trails for those who are experienced hikers. In total there are three marked trails that total to around seven miles (11km) in length. The two longest trails (the lakeside trail and wilderness trail) both cross a small section of a rock debris avalanche path. Due to this those who are on the trail must use caution when crossing over loose rock rubble and you may also be required to ford the stream. If there has been heavy rain aprk staff recommend not taking the these two trails.
No matter what time of the year you visit Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park there will be a chance for you to throw out a line and go fishing. One of the nice features about the park is The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun Learn to Fish Program that teaches fishing skills to youth under 16 years old. The lake is good fishing for Kokanee and Rainbow Trout but if you catch Bull trout you must release it as they are on the endangered species list. Before casting a line you will need to have a British Columbia fishing license.
There are no public transport options that will take you to Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park.
If you love to picnic than you will be happy to know that there is a day-use area at Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park which has a picnicking area. Here you will find with picnic tables (some with BBQ attachments) and parking area. Please note that there are no fire pits in the day-use area and you are not allowed open fires. The picnic area is non-reservable so the picnic tables are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park is also a great place to visit for those who like to get out on the water instead of in it. Boating is an awesome way to further explore the waters of Birkenhead Lake and you can do so under no restrictions. There is a concrete double-wide boat launch available in the day-use area at this park for visitors to use and a floating dock is next to the boat launch. There are no guarantees that watercraft rentals will be available during your visit to the park so it is best to bring your own so you don't miss out on the fun.
If you fancy having some fun in the sun during your stay at Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park you need to check out the beach area. The beach at the park is sandy and the water will be the warmest during the month of August. The beach is a big hit when it is warm outside and many visitors love to chill out on the fine sand after going for a dip. There are no lifeguards on duty at the beach so remember to swim to your abilities.
